Annual flowers live only for one growing season, during
which they grow, flower, and produce seed, thereby
completing their life cycle. Annuals must be set out or
seeded every year since they don’t persist. Some varieties
will self-sow, or naturally reseed themselves.

“Bulbs” is a term loosely used to include corms, tubers,
tuberous roots, and rhizomes as well as true bulbs. This
publication will refer to all of the above as bulbs. Many
vegetables are propagated from or produce edible organs
of these types (e.g., tuber, Irish potato; tuberous root,
sweet potato; rhizome, Jerusalem artichoke; bulb, onion).

Much of the excitement of creating an herbaceous border
lies in its great flexibility of design. In form, placement,
and selection of plants, the contemporary border follows
few rigid rules and allows fullest expression of the
gardener’s taste.

Virginia Cooperative
Extension (VCE) developed
the America’s Anniversary
Garden™ to help
individuals, communities,
and groups commemorate
America’s 400th Anniversary
with a signature
landscape or garden. These signature gardens have
red, white, and blue color schemes. Although the
commemoration has passed, this guide continues to be
useful for creating a patriotic garden. This is the third
in a series of VCE garden design, plant selection, plant
installation, and maintenance publications for America’s
Anniversary Garden™.

In 2007, Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE)
developed the America’s Anniversary Garden to help
individuals, communities, and groups commemorate
America’s 400th Anniversary with a signature landscape,
garden, or container planting. These signature gardens
have red, white, and blue color schemes. Although the
commemoration has passed, this guide continues to be
useful for creating a patriotic garden.

Specialty cut flowers are one of the most profitable field
crops you can grow. Lynn Byczynski, editor of Growing
For Market newsletter (see Resources section),
estimates a value of $25,000 to $35,000 per acre for
field-grown cuts. The most basic requirements are at
least half an acre of open, arable land, a rototiller, and,
of course, time and effort. This publication is directed to
those new to market gardening, but commercial vegetable
growers, tobacco farmers, and young people interested
in summer income are all potential candidates.
Even grain and livestock farmers have increased profitability
in their operations by adding cut flower production.
For many greenhouse and nursery operations,
mid-summer business is slower, relative to spring. A
field-grown cut flower business is a viable option to fill
in the summer production and cash flow gap.

Hops (Humulus lupulus) are an essential component of beer production. Though hops have been grown in Virginia since the 1700s, Virginia hop production has been relatively insignificant until the past decade. Most major hop production in the U.S. takes place in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. However, in recent years, the number of craft breweries in Virginia has increased, and interest in local hop production has grown. The number of requests from current and potential growers seeking information and resources from Virginia Cooperative Extension has also increased steadily. Unfortunately, prior to 2014, no means were available to formally assess the scope of the industry, and national hop acreage reports did not provide data for Virginia.

Food safety is a hot topic for hop growers and brewers. With multiple
acronyms for various practices, standards, and regulations: GAPs,
FSMA, PSR, PCR, and more; the confusion is understandable. Let’s
examine where the small-acreage hop grower fits in. This fact sheet serves as
an orientation to these standards,regulations, and practices as they may
apply to hops; it is in no way a complete set of guidelines or substitute for training.

Have you ever wondered if it is possible to enjoy the beauty
of bulbs in the middle of winter? The answer is definitely
yes! Many people are familiar with the hourglass-shaped
vase filled with water and topped with a hyacinth bulb,
or a low bowl filled with several Paper White narcissus,
and the popular boxed amaryllis bulb as a welcome winter
holiday gift. Most bulbs can be forced but additional
planning is required in order to have a successful period
of blooms.